Pain that comes and goes in lower left abdomen

It’s quite common to get a little stomach ache after eating a big meal or taking a tumble around in a roller-coaster. But there are times where these abdominal pains are highly painful. Our stomach can tell us a lot about our health. Many underlying medical conditions can cause pain to our stomachs. Therefore, certain abdominal pains should not be ignored. 

Sudden Pain 

There are many reasons why your abdomen may suddenly start hurting you. Some of these require immediate medical attention. For instance, sudden, severe abdominal pain in your lower right stomach could be a sign of appendicitis. This pain often starts out around the belly button and is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. If you suspect that you may have appendicitis, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible. 

If you are female and suddenly start experiencing lower abdominal pains in your lower left or right abdomen, you may have a ruptured ovarian cyst. Issues with your ovaries can be caused by a fluctuation in your hormones, pregnancy, sexual intercourse, and constipation. In some cases an ovary may need to be removed. If you suspect you are having issues with a ruptured ovary (or ovaries), you should seek medical attention immediately. 

Stabbing Pain 

Stabbing pain involves an influx of pain all at one instant, as if you were being stabbed. If you are experiencing knife-like, aching pain in your upper abdomen (between your ribcage) you may have an underlying heart issue. Indigestion may be the cause of this pain, but if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, it could be serious. Anyone who has experienced these symptoms persistently should consider visiting a medical professional. 

Stabbing, knife-like pain in your lower stomach can sometimes indicate a kidney stone. To confirm or rule out a kidney stone an ultrasound or CT scan is required. If you are experiencing nausea, chills, fever, and vomiting in addition to this pain, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.  

Persistent Pain

While it is easy to tell what is going on with certain, intense stomach pains, some stomach pains are different. With persistent pain, you may experience discomfort and pain that you are so used to you think it doesn’t require medical attention. However, persistent pain in the lower abdomen accompanied with bloating, diarrhea, or weight loss can indicate an underlying condition. 

Persistent cramps with bloating, diarrhea, or constipation can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome. This condition is connected heavily with the level of stress and anxiety in your day-to-day life. Irritable bowel syndrome can be managed through diet and stress management. However, it is important to first seek out medical help in order to get an exact diagnosis. 

If you are experiencing persistent stomach pain with diarrhea and weight loss, you may have a chronic disease called Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease involves inflammation in your digestive system, especially in your small intestine and colon. There is no current cure for Crohn’s disease. However, the disease can be managed through antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, an adjusted diet, and in some cases surgery. 

When to Seek Help

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Any urgent or non-urgent pain can become serious with time. If you are experiencing any sort of pain that doesn’t feel like a normal, “ate too much” stomach ache, you may want to be seen as soon as possible. If you have stabbing pains, cramping, persistent pain, or sudden pain, you should look into being seen by a medical professional.

BASS Urgent Care is here for you and ready to help. With multiple services that allow us to run various tests and even x-rays, our urgent care services will help you find the answers and relief you seek. Don’t wait around for your condition to worsen before seeing a doctor.

Left-sided abdominal pain is usually a sign of excess gas or constipation. Other health conditions that can cause pain in this area include gastrointestinal illnesses, like diverticulitis, abdominal hernias and indigestion. Women in particular can have left-side pain during menstruation, with endometriosis or ovarian cysts. 

The type of abdominal pain experiences can range from mild to severe, and it can be reported as a stabbing pain that comes and goes. Other symptoms that can occur with pain include bloating, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, or regular belching.

In rare cases, pain on the left side of the abdomen can also be a sign of a heart attack, but there are usually other, more specific symptoms that will accompany it, like chest pain that radiates to the stomach, nausea, shortness of breath, and tingling in the arms.

What causes left-side abdominal pain?

Many times, pain on the left side of the belly can be a result of:

1. Excess gas

Excess gas is one of the most common causes for abdominal pain. It frequently occurs with constipation, because when hardened stools remain in the intestines for longer periods, intestinal bacteria starts to ferment and more gas is released. Learn more about what causes excess gas. 

Increase in flatulence can also be caused by swallowing more air, from talking while eating, chewing gum, or drinking pop. 

Other related symptoms: Bloating, feeling full or heavy, lack of appetite, and belching. Read more about symptoms of excess gas. 

What to do: Drink fennel tea three times a day, as fennel helps to reduce intestinal gas, or manually massage the abdomen to help with gas release. Lying on your back and hugging your legs also helps to release intestinal gas more easily. Check out other home remedies for excess gas that you can try to relieve pain. 

2. Diverticulitis

This is one of the most common intestinal problems that can cause pain on the left side of the abdomen. Diverticulitis happens when small pockets of the intestines, known as diverticula, become inflamed, causing constant pain.

Other related symptoms: Fever over 38ºC (or 100.4ºF), loss of appetite, nausea, bloating, and periods of constipation and diarrhea.

What to do: If you suspect you have diverticulitis, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible to confirm a diagnosis. Treatment usually involves antibiotics and analgesics. In addition, you will also need to rest and eat a liquid diet, which will allow for healing of the affected intestine. Solids are then slowly re-added to the diet.

Read more about the diverticulitis diet that you can maintain to prevent and treat flare-ups. 

3. Indigestion 

With indigestion, pain is usually felt a few minutes after eating, and even though it is more common in the upper abdomen (near the stomach), it can also occur in the lower abdomen.

Other related symptoms: Burning sensation in the throat, bloating, nausea, belching, and fatigue.

What to do: Green tea or teas made from boldo, fennel, or peppermint aid digestion and help to relieve pain. You should also opt for lighter meals that include easily digestible foods, such as bread, crackers, or fruit.

4. Abdominal hernia

Abdominal hernias occur when small areas in the abdominal muscles become weak, causing the intestine to bulge out. This bulge can be uncomfortable or painful, especially when laughing or coughing. Hernias are common in the groin area, and usually cause a persistent pain.

Other related symptoms: A small bulge in the abdomen, redness in the affected area, nausea, and vomiting.

What to do: If you suspect you have an abdominal hernia, consult your family doctor or a gastroenterologist. He or she can confirm a diagnosis and carry out the appropriate treatment, which is usually a surgical procedure that reinforces the abdominal muscles. 

5. Kidney Stones

Although kidney stones usually cause pain in the lower back, it is also possible to get abdominal pain, as the back pain may radiate to the front (near the bellybutton)

Kidney stones are more common in men, but can also happen in women and children, due to low fluid intake. Read more about what causes kidney stones and how they are typically treated 

Other related symptoms: Very intense pain in the lower back, pain when urinating, fever over 38ºC (or 100.4ºC), nausea, red-colored urine, and difficulty lying down.

What to do: Treatment for kidney stones is usually completed in the hospital setting. Intravenous analgesics are administered to relieve pain, however, surgical procedures may be necessary to remove or break-up the stones. If a small stone is identified in a routine exam, and it is not causing symptoms, the doctor may advise the patient to wait for the body to eliminate the stone through urine.

Left-sided abdominal pain in women 

Women may have abdominal pain due to with unique conditions that men don't experience. Common causes of abdominal pain in women, specifically, include:

1. Period cramps

Period cramps are common in women. They usually occur 2 to 3 days before a period and can last for another 3 to 5 days after it has started. While some women may not feel any discomfort with their period, others can feel a strong pain which radiates to the left or the right side of the abdomen.

Other related symptoms: Bloating, mood swings, constant headaches, increased stress, and acne.

What to do: Exercising regularly is a great way to relieve PMS symptoms, as well as drinking passion fruit juice or doing aromatherapy with lavender essential oil. To help with chronic cramps, your doctor or gynecologist may recommend anti-inflammatories, or a birth control pill. You can also check out natural remedies for period cramps to relieve pain at home.

2. Ovarian cysts

Even though ovarian cysts rarely cause any symptoms, there are some women who may feel a slight discomfort or a light pain in the affected area.

Other related symptoms: Bloating, irregular periods, nausea, vomiting, increased breast sensitivity, discomfort during sex and difficulty getting pregnant.

What to do: Sometimes cysts disappear spontaneously, however, it is common for an oral contraceptive pill to be prescribed. Birth control can help to regulate hormone levels and relieve symptoms. The doctor may also prescribe a surgical procedure to remove the cyst. Learn more about ovarian cysts and treatment options.

3. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a relatively common problem that can cause intense abdominal pain, especially before and during a period. As it can be confused with PMS, some women only find out they have endometriosis when they are trying to get pregnant, since endometriosis can cause infertility.

Other related symptoms: Strong pain during sex, when passing stool, or urinating, as well as irregular bleeding and fatigue. Learn more about endometriosis symptoms that many women report. 

What to do: You should see your gynecologist, who will likely order pelvic ultrasound to confirm a diagnosis. When necessary, surgical intervention may be necessary.

4. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a common cause for left-sided abdominal pain in pregnant women. It can also happen on the right side. Pain is felt due to the growth of the fetus inside the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus, and it can happen in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are more common in women over 35, women who become pregnant with an IUD or following in-vitro fertilization.

Other related symptoms: Vaginal bleeding, a feeling of heaviness in the vagina, pain during sex, and bloating.

What to do: If you suspect you have had an ectopic pregnancy, proceed to the hospital immediately to complete an ultrasound.  If confirmed, the pregnancy will need to be terminated, as the fetus will not thrive outside of the uterus.

When to see a doctor

Most cases of left-sided abdominal pain will improve within 2 to 3 days, especially when the pain is caused by mild conditions like excess gas or constipation. 

When should I worry about lower left abdominal pain?

What does pain in the left lower abdomen signify?

What causes left lower abdominal pain in females?

Why my left side stomach pain comes and goes?